What is the TIA?
The TIA, a.k.a. Teacher Incentive Allotment, is a payment system meant to increase salaries for high-performing Texas teachers—especially those in high-need schools and rural districts. (1)
There are three TIA “designations,” or tiers: Recognized, Exemplary and Master. You can earn a TIA designation if your school district participates in TIA (some don’t!) A TIA designation brings in funding for your district, plus extra take-home pay for you.
Read on to learn more details!
Your TIA income comes on top of your regular salary. Learn more about Houston teacher salaries at our Salary and Benefits page!
How does TIA work?
Pro tip:
You’ll automatically receive a “Recognized” designation if you get National Board Certified!
During those five years, you can move up TIA levels, but you can’t be moved back down. (2) Your designation stays with you even if you change districts!
Funds increase with your TIA level. So, a “Master” designation gets more funding than “Recognized.” Rural and high-need schools also receive more funds than other schools. See TIA funding by school.
Districts choose how to distribute funds. Some split funds between all teachers at the TIA teacher’s school. Others give a higher portion to TIA teachers themselves. Talk to your district to learn more.
Which districts and charter schools participate in TIA?
How do I earn a TIA designation?
- 1
Meet your district’s TIA requirements
To determine TIA qualification, school districts look at student growth and benchmarks throughout the year.
Each district creates its own rubric, but in general, you can expect your district to use a combination of classroom observations, student test scores and classwork.
Certain districts might offer TIA designations only in certain subject areas. Check with your district to find out if your subject is eligible, and to learn about qualification requirements.
- 2
Your district will submit your name for TIA designation
School districts submit teachers for TIA designation in the fall. This is also when they submit teachers to move up TIA designation levels.
- 3
Districts receive and distribute TIA funds
School districts receive funds for every TIA teacher they have. When you get a TIA designation, your district must put 90 percent of those funds toward teacher pay at your school.
It’s up to districts to decide how funds get distributed. If you qualify for TIA, you might receive an annual stipend or a different salary schedule. Talk to your school district to find out how they distribute funds. (3)
Have more questions about how TIA works? Check out these FAQs.
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Read MoreReferences
- Teacher Incentive Allotment. Texas Education Agency. https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/educator-initiatives-and-performance/educator-initiatives/teacher-incentive-allotment
- TIA Designated Teachers. Teacher Incentive Allotment. https://tiatexas.org/for-teachers/tia-designated-teachers/
- Teachers Working in a Participating District. Teacher Incentive Allotment. https://tiatexas.org/for-teachers/teachers-working-in-a-participating-district/
